the seedlings to plants tale

They were just born - raw and tender.
The lawn was pretty broad, but they stayed rooted next to each other, closely, adjacent.
Passers-by stride all over the fine greenish lawn without hesitance - including em.
The erratic weather included searing heat, sturdy wind and infinite storm.
It all slightly stagnated both their growth.
They were even their own foe - combating against each other.
But it all apparently didn't stop them from emerging from seedlings.
The whole cultivation experience was emotional.
The moments were aplenty, and they were all memorable.
Though they were just seedlings, they had emotions like humans too.
And yes, there was also the inevitable plucking part.
Alas, it wasn't both of em, it was just one out of two.
It was clearly miserable.
One plant standing on an open field, solitary, sad.
But well, only God would understand how, could comprehend why.
The gardener tugged the soloist out eventually and replanted it in his garden.
The garden was perhaps haven for every plant.
And guess where was it planted?
A fine reserved spot.
Right next to it.

the moment

i have this zeal
and its boon or bane
but i like it alot
because it makes me, distinctive
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iv seen plenty
tried on a few
but nothing
fits this one ever so perfectly
but for now it remains in that cabinet
but im glad its still there
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btw happy 18th birthday joanne yu
(:

the art, of living.

funny how life changes in just a blink of the eye ey? i was reluctant to actually start a blog, even if it was for assignment. Then when i began writing and writing, i started liking it. Right until the last post before the blog was "handed up", i felt reluctant to stop instead. Sidetracking, everytime when it comes to writing (an email, a letter, an essay, a long-answer exam question etc) i feel that lazy sensation in me, but when i do pick myself up and work my fingers i can never stop. No, this doesn't go along with short private notes (+ the mailbox!) to certain special people, i'll be full of desire even before i think of what to write :)

okay anyway back to the blog part, after that i thought to myself: "okay, you love writing and expressing words like its a pure art, why not potray it? to yourself if not to the readers?". I do love writing alot. When i write letters and little notes (even this post), the beautiful unimaginable ideas just start twinkling in my own sky like bright little stars and it just never stop. Anyway, thereafter i started posting personal blog posts here and found it to my liking. In fact, i actually created my own blog and transferred everything in. The day i created the blog and found it pleasing, i abruptly turned the tide and deleted everything, telling myself i'd just keep the whole thought to myself. The picture of a blog with barely any visitors threatened me. Which blogger would want that to happen ey? And i dislike the fact that i make up my mind to do something only to find/to reconfirm myself thrashy in it. Hey, now your like reading a post from me after all that fracas in my mind. This is inspired by mower tagging me!

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You know we humans make so much fuss about changes of things and decisions when unconsciously, it actually leads them to a better path. We are blind people in your sight and thats perfectly, true.

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More than half a year ago, i was standing in Sri Tanjong bookstore (hey sarah you still go there to buy your stuff? hope you dont enter the shop with sour-faced assistants :P) and was trying my best to pretend to be fervently arranging the primary school workbooks which looked nothing far from havoc. My eyes were 3-quarts closed because of the job excitement and there i was half hoping the supervisor doesnt come looking for me, and the other half of my brain focus was on studies, when i would ever resume. And there you go, september 19, 2008 i'm approaching my study week for final and mid term marks have so far been decent. See, how life just sweeps past you like a running bullet? savour everything you experience right now before some time later you think, "man, i really missed that".

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Hey its friday again and time is ever so pacy. I did another haircut today in 1.5 months' time. And i got this need to find out what really is wrong right under the skin of my ankle because it hasn't healed since last month. could do an xray or praying that the cost won't reach too many hundreds. Worship leading is coming up next week too, man i really need to learn time management.

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Okay yes, that motivation part: the tag. Its called State 15 weird things/habits/little known facts about yourself. And there you go:

*1 Almost every personality i have, i constantly do the opposite (determined/doubt, calm/anxious, fast/slow, aggresive/timid, etc etc etc.) So i don't really have solid personalities.

*2 I rage at being insulted, provoked, looked down on, sarcast-ed, embarrassed most of the time.

*3 I never repeat listening to a song continuously no matter how much i love it.

*4 Got a strong sense of pityness esp towards cute little objects (dolls, baby clothes, toys for instance), animals and some of the most ridiculous things you could think of.

*5 I could only REALLY sleep when: (1) i sleep on my own lovely bed back home, (2) i sleep facing either side (just not facing the ceiling), and (3) my head lies on a pillow, hugging a pillow in my arms, and one more between my thighs)

*6 I like listening to good music loud and I hate music with nothing but noise.

*7 However much i eat i could not add some meat to my body which makes it kinda sad.

*8 I get sick, thirsty, tired/sleepy, hungry in no time. Cant live an hour without drinking water.

*9 Prevent using toilets which are: wet, dark, small, stinky, with strokes of hair on the floor, tiny floor tiles and without toilet bowls. I'm hard to please :/

*10 I got phobia for creatures like lizards, frogs and esp roaches (what phobia's that called?).

*11 I hate most seafood because i'd imagine a living creature on my plate and find it unbearable to place one in my mouth. forgive me you seafood lovers ):

*12 Surprisingly i'm pretty strict with myself when it comes to cleanliness and neatness.

*13 I naturally dislike crowd, conversations or talking to people, esp new people because i'm lazy to talk to em and making conversations itself. Shy in general.

*14 I'm super careless and i feel everyone knows about this. I think i'm slightly better now!

*15 Infatuation happens easy for me but falling in love takes a pretty, unique little lay-deh! :)

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These pics struck my mind when i browsed through my pictures section.

one fine day, not quite sure why i entered Paint and started drawing for all things, a turt. proly the only image i drew which i could afford to click 'save'.

i love the color contrasts and the people in this picture!

moving my body, the bass and everything to cover up those mediocre skills ;)

nature's lights

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I just came back from an awesome meeting and also looking forward to my final post entry for this memorable critical thinking assignment. The meeting was fruitful due to a successful brainstorming session by my adult buddy. This meeting is for a church evangelistical event by the Youth, which emphasizes on dynamics and creativity. To my delight, the whole planning session reminded me on the brainstorming topic I learnt in critical thinking tutorial. It was just right for me since I was out of ideas for my 8th and last blog post.

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Anyway, our theme is The Art Of Living - which is, four (most common) ways of living our lives to the fullest. As everyone were looking confused when our facilitator, Benny swiped out an oak leaf. It was the whole initial process of brainstorming - the 3-minute warm-up exercise. Instantaneously, our flexible mind were geared for the real planning itself. Startling, ingenious ideas started flowing like Niagara Falls (metaphor); some even crazy and ridiculous, but all jotted down on the whiteboard by Benny. The best were picked eventually and together with its own unique titles, and all of us committee members agreed with - Let Go, Let God (there are things just beyond our control and sometimes we just have to trust and let God handle the situation); Weak Is The New Strong (our response might look like losers to most people but that is the best way of responding in reality); Alone Without You (many people feel by having all kinds of social life, it means they are on the right track but what they really need are true friends, and it doesn't require many) and; (im)perfect (the title it self described - either you feel imperfect or otherwise; accepting who we are and what we have/are given). With the base idea accomplished successfully, we can therefore build on it and anticipate a really good show.

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I have mixed feelings about this last post - something i have previously so look forward to, and presently, it is like separating from a freshly-known friend, and it will end here. I always like to insert something distinctive or unrelated in things i do. For my conclusion, i decided on the inclusion of a soothing scenery snap. It somehow portrays my emotions (just like how the sun ray reflect upon the path) and it, at the same time, is presented in a simple way - no complications. Personally, there is a reason for everything we do and whatever happens - why i chose a pure black backdrop for the blog, why white texts for my final post, why I chose not to argue with a random sarcastic person on the way home etc. Life doesn't have to be too "high-tech" and sophisticated; plain simple will look equally fascinating. I cherished this short, and simple 8 days of blogging, in which not only helped me to be still and think deeper about our daily doings, also gave me more knowledge on critical thinking, in which I previously overlooked. Thank you too for spending time on my site Mdm. Jessica. You must be feeling all relieved its finally over. Checking out :)

protraction.

Today was pretty ordinary, similarly simple - and I did go to uni, on time! Sides classes and quiz, I got home early and decided it was the most ideal time for some gruelling massage on my weak ankle. As I have mentioned before, my ankle has always been injured and I just kept on playing - the young man's passion. You know from my past experience, you should visit the massage master only when you are feeling high up the sky and sheer buoyancy aplenty. Or else, you probably won't eat for the entire day.

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Today was somehow pretty satisfying, feeling great and I headed for the sifu without hesitance. Dad says its rare to find a sifu like him these days, who truly masters martial arts for medicine to cure all sorts of injuries, and knows precisely which joint is displaced and exactly where to relocate it (without the x-ray indeed!) - not forgetting the 3-second "pain of your life". As usual a human line is always present right from the entrance of the "nightmare" room till the doorstep of the exit. Outside that room hangs a modest-looking banner written in mandarin "If you come and see me, you will endure some pain but you must trust me. If you trust me, i assure that you will heal immediately. So if you come come and see me, you will heal immediately. (Chain Argument) Today, i observed that some came with strained backs, another with an awfully bloated foot and even a wheel chaired-bound old lady, not knowing what ailment struck her. But one thing similar between all of us here - every soul who makes it out of that room did it with a terrifying yell first. Every time I hear one, my heart starts pounding faster than the footsteps of the historical Usain Bolt (Metaphor).

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Well to cut it short, it was my turn and I survived and was elated to look forward to a stronger ankle, in which it is back to sports! Before I left, sifu warned me beforehand, again in mandarin: "If you restrain yourself and rest for another 2 weeks, i guarantee your long-term internal ankle injury will heal completely. So you better listen to me and rest for 2 weeks, then you will be healed. (Modus ponens/ Affirming the antecedent). I went home with great joy knowing that my weak ankle finally would be healthy again. I promised myself to control for the next 2 weeks. And now I'm happily spreading the good o' news (;

wOw aNoThEr DaY?!

Let me tell you a simple story! Way back in the Ching Dynasty lived a very lazy student named Chen Ho. Although he often find excuses to proclaim his belief, for example, not attending school for a week because he feel 'nauseous', he is still a hardworking kid who still hands up his work on time and scores reasonably well in every examination. Later, a rare test was announced for those who would like to become a scholar and work in the palace. It only happens once in 3 years and those who are exceptionally brilliant could only make it. Chen Ho had no worries about the test as he was more than confident of passing with flying colours. But the night before the test, Ching Emperor's main rival Zhu Emperor and his soldiers abruptly burned a village not far from Chen Ho's place and news broke fast among Chen Ho's villagers. Chen Ho believed that due to the 'state of emergency', the examination would not be held. He slept soundly that night, and so was the rest of the village. Chen Ho realized the next day, that he has missed out the opportunity to enter the palace because of his unproved presumption. The test did happen and he regretted for 3 years of his casual belief. -Anecdote

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I definitely am in some holidaying mood. Since Friday it has been quite interesting, and enjoying the non-uni period. Well somehow the thought came to me that last week the Malaysian Studies lecturer mentioned there would be no lecture this week (Tues early 9am class) so the thought got me excited and to reconfirm, I asked my friends and all were not sure - in fact to be honest, they were more like bemused by my somehow ridiculous approach. Hence, it disheartened me the fact that there is nothing special after all and its early waking up the next day till I concluded that since the make up test takes up an hour of the lecture period, there should be no class and probably there was where I heard about the class cancellation! Hey, self-declared holiday for me today - there you go! This probably is termed self-evident assumption. As you expected, the lecture did happen and now my attendance is below 75% :/ Weak premises definitely do not lead up to a firm conclusion as well. My 'belief' that because of the make up test, and thinking that I really did hear the lecturer declaring class cancellation, there would be no class indeed is invalid and weak. So long people. I'll be in uni tomorrow, no doubt ;)

POLitical POWer!

THE ANWAR STATEMENT

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From learning Critical Thinking, I realized that politics link the Ad hominem circumstantial Fallacy with their statements or speeches almost too frequently. Without any offence, today's article (link above) about Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressing that Malaysia belong to all races amidst National Day. Simultaneously, he also mentioned the spirit of Merdeka is absent when the nation is still ruled by its own community, before concluding that Malays should support leaders who detest corruption and treat all communities equally. It apparently is one technique of attacking the government's weakness and indirectly persuading the people to pour in their support for him towards being the next Prime Minister. Honestly, who at his stature wouldn't do that?

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We <3 You Malaysia!

One of the only unique nations whom the people from various races, religions, cultures and ethnics live together and unite as one called Malaysians, instigating envy throughout the whole planet. Today, this blessed nation celebrated her 51st birthday as an independent country. And despite all the past and present fiascoes and controversies, Malaysia is still making its presence felt worldwide. I reckoned Malaysia's biggest birthday present would be a more diligent and systematic administration, with limited corruption - which in return the citizens would receive what they actually deserve. Did you realize I just mentioned a simple argument? With a more diligent and systematic administration (Premise 1), with limited corruption (Premise 2), us citizens would receive a deserving return from the government (Conclusion).

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And this morning in Sunday service, there was an announcement for those in the hall who was around when Tunku Abdul Rahman chanted "Merdeka!" a spirited 7 times - there was only a mere 3 people. It made me realize those who were really there - or who have suffered so much but their unquestionable determination to set the nation free prevailed, are reducing in numbers and what's left are us people who might not have felt the same passion and emotional sensation when Merdeka comes about. Thus, isn't it our responsibility as "anak bangsa", to carry on that torch and shoulder the current and to-come generation in building an awesome nation? Indeed, this is a rhetorical question, trying to encourage you to agree that it is our responsibility.

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Anyway, let us rejoice on this historical day of rememberance, and feel the spirit of Merdeka, at the same time, appreciating what privilege our ancestors have given us. Happy Birthday Malaysia :)

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WE

YOU


!!!


(: GOOD DAY PEOPLE :)

the Serdang experience

It was the second time I'm taking KTM and the first time taking it to Serdang. I was going there to attend a session on music which featured an Indonesian band - led by the brilliant Adon. Besides the session, the journey itself has its highlights too. When i arrived at the Serdang station and trooped out in search of taxi, there you go - Malaysia Boleh - one row of taxis anticipating your arrival. As expected, one of them immediately approached me and I told him of my desired destination and the next thing he said was: "rm10 ah?". I didn't bother protesting as I was more focused on reaching there on time and it after all would be fruitless trying to urge him against that idea. His short and direct answer already provided a Leading Question.

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Along the way appeared more and more Critical Thinking terms including Compound Claims: Conditionals when he complained that if the driver in front does not drive any faster, then she will probably reach her destination tomorrow morning. As the slow driver constantly irritated him with her pace ever since she overtook him at the junction, he snorted: "Now I'm gonna cut you and make sure you don't get past the traffic light, slow coach!". What a harsh Ad Populum Appeal to Spite statement he grunted. Well, yet again - the Malaysian transport system never fails to attract the people. There should be a certain standard in becoming a taxi driver and training should be conducted to train and discipline them. Additionally, these touts should be closely inspected and be punished for their indecent actions. But, this probably would take years to actually be enforced because the enforcers themselves are as lazy as ships in the doldrums. Upon the time the enforcers start acting, the touts would have zoomed off far away. Simile and metaphor has been described in the former and latter sentences.

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arrival of the new born

When i was slightly younger - or perhaps it has always been my family's "trend" - I used to bombard my wardrobe with all sorts of branded stuff. From tees to shirts, pants, shoes, watches and whatever a mortal wears. At this time where my mind start to think more rationally, gaining an asset means alot to me - not an additional item to show off about but something I have truly contemplated about having and having it because i truly need it, not want.

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This time around comes a laptop. Its a silky Espresso Brown Dell Inspiron 1420 with optimal features for a student like me. I was pretty surprised the whole ordering and delivering process was swift and somewhat simple. But the whole process of asking for permission to buy an expensive item was incredibly arduous. Tons of ad populum appeal to indirect consequences and ad populum appeal to a false dilemma were implied. Mum is the only person in the family who understands the true value of saving and never fails to protest most of our proposed purchases - and not short of this one too.

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"I spend all morning and afternoon in the university on weekdays and often i feel effortless because there's nothing i can do during breaks. When assignments come along, I'll be left behind because back home at night is the only time i could complete it. Furthermore, by the time i reach home, it already is night and I'll be drained from the whole eventful day. If i carry on like this, I'm going to be too far behind in assignments and studies and will fail my exams! If i don't get a laptop immediately, I'm afraid I might never make it out of my Beta year - not to mention complete my course!

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Well, I suppose this kind of fallacy isn't a bad method to persuade right? Well, like I said before, I have thought through thoroughly before making a stand on this decision. I'm quite optimistic it will help me spend my free time in university in a meaningful way, thus enhancing my chances of scoring better in examinations - with the additional period of studying. God bless you!

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The all-exclusive Dell Inspiron 1420 Espresso Brown - doesn't look too espresso here does it?
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Pic from Inspiron 1420's Integrated 2.0 mega pixel webcam

the BUS-ey BLOOD-ey day

Thursday - the last day of uni for the week in which i so look forward to. I presume most people look forward to the end of the week where relaxation and entertainment come pouring it. Also not forgetting a number of them who would rather not rest at all because they enjoy the art of working to a transformed level. Today isn't short of interesting events for me though.

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Right from the start of my day i again have to wait long for the bus! If you do not know, I abandoned having accommodation near uni and decided Kelana Jaya isn't too inconvenient and far away to go home daily from uni. Well, the unfortunate thing about this is having to risk missing or coming in waay too late for classes because somehow the Malaysian transport system just isn't up to the mark. The RapidKL bus - to its own liking - once awhile, makes you wait for a whole 2 hrs or more before it comes. And by the time I reach uni, 3 quarts the class would be over and the awkwardness of trooping inside the classroom with multiple pairs of eyes glancing at you isn't very pleasant eh? :/ This morning wasn't any different. After waiting for an hour, the assumption part was that the bus isn't going to come anytime soon, again. And i had to walk home and wake my poor daddy up to fetch me to Cyberjaya just so that i don't miss the all-crucial maths tutorial. I was pretty pissed and irritated - and not the first time.

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I was curious though to find out what was the assignment 2 all hyped up about, because it only lasts a week! As i was thinking then: "The proposed second assignment madam would be announcing in lecture later would definitely by easy. Well, this is because in the mmls announcement it says the assignment would be due in just a week. Anyhow, the first assignment was pretty simple so it will be the same for the second one. And this argument falls under valid but weak. This is because both my premises are logical or follows necessarily with the conclusion. Weak is because both premises isn't solid enough to affirm the conclusion. And indeed the reality was, the assignment is a daily blogging implying critical thinking terms. Shocked the hell out of me! Since i don't blog, extra efforts need to be discharged to make it to the 8th day to hand up the assignment to the amazing Mdm Jessica (:

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Not forgetting the subsequent blood donation myself, Sam and Simon went after the class. I had mainly decided to go just to discover my blood type and it is to be O - the mighty universal blood. Unfortunately, i was told that due to my phlegm, i would not be allowed to donate therefore i snapped a few pictures as souvenirs. The nurse Kak Nurul told me: "Your phlegm is yellow. Therefore, your blood currently contains a sort of virus and if your blood is donated to a patient, I'm afraid he or she might receive side effects like fever or cold." Thus, she was indicating an implicit conclusion, which is that I'm currently not suitable to donate my blood. Fyi, almost every donor were males! Cept for a few brave girls. Catch today's "occasion of the day"!

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Simon
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Sam
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Kak Nurul